BTT1O - Research - EBSCO Database

Introduction

• You can visit the EBSCO Online Database to access additional articles. This may be useful for your Excel Research Report or other courses.
• The address is search.ebscohost.com and I will write the username and passwords on the board during the class.

Steps to Follow

1. Visit search.ebscohost.com and login.
2. Select a database like EBSCO Educational Database.
3. Check all of the databases that are relevant to your search.
4. Enter your search terms (start generally and drill down as you progress).

BTT1O - Selecting Data for Charts

Introduction

• Charts make data easier to understand. So firstly, charts should be neat and clear, well-labelled (series, axis, title) and readable (colours/size).
• But charts should also make people think about the data. Therefore, the charts should highlight something important, insightful or unusual.
• Charts should make people think. When you show what is happening with a professional chart and explain why it happened with thorough research, you have made a thoughtful project.

Chart Comparison

Which one of these charts highlights better information? Which one clearly shows changes that are happening in Canada?

or

Click here for a downloaded file of these charts. 

Discussion

• I think that the second one offers more choices for discussion:
• What is happening in Nova Scotia? https://www.google.ca/search?q=nova+scotia+population+change+2009..2013&oq=nova+scotia+population+change+2009..2013&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.13248j0j4&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=119&ie=UTF-8
• Why is Alberta growing so much? https://www.google.ca/search?q=alberta+growth&cr=countryCA&espv=210&es_sm=119&biw=1271&bih=517&sa=X&ei=TtKvUuiBBsm62AXm-YC4CQ&ved=0CB4QpwUoBg&source=lnt&tbs=ctr%3AcountryCA%2Ccdr%3A1%2Ccd_min%3A2000%2
• What about Saskatchewan? https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=cr&ei=2KOwUtKGDqrJygG9hoDgBw#q=saskatchewan+population&tbm=nws
  
• Saying something like "Saskatchewan is experiencing a surprising growth rate because it has the highest job vacancy rate in Canada" is informative and shares useful information with the reader. Remember to prove a citation from http://www.citethisforme.com.

BTT1O - Google Tips

In class, we will discuss some search tips to help get the information that you need when you are researching. Here are some graphic organizers to help remind you.

BTT1O - Microsoft Excel Research Assignment

Assessment of Learning

1) Learning Goals

• Use Google and Internet search techniques to research a topic
• Display the information coherently using Microsoft Excel
• Make informed statements about the data, supported by online research

2) Success Criteria

I will know that I am successful when:

• I research a topic of my choice and find interesting facts and figures
• I display the data in Excel in a way that highlights key points
• I summarize my findings in writing
• I include complete formatting (M.S. Excel and Works Cited List)

3) Expectations

Students will demonstrate the following expectations during the assessment:

• Productivity Software
  • use spreadsheet software to perform a variety of tasks
• Digital Literacy
  • apply effective techniques when conducting electronic research

4) Components

Each assignment will include the following components:

• A table of data (5x10)
• A line chart showing changes over time
• Two charts showing a snapshot of data at a specific time
• A paragraph summarizing the data and its significance
• A list of citations

5) Deadline

Submit in the Drop-Off Box by Wednesday March 5th

6) Supporting Documents

• Instructions
• Example Assignment
• Rubric